We hereby inform you that on Sunday, 7 June 2026, traffic will be temporarily regulated in certain sections around the Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the 41^th Plitvice Marathon.

Road closure time:

• from 8:00 h to 12:00 h.

Route of the Plitvice Marathon:

Mukinje (Plitvice lakes) – Selište Drežničko – Poljanak – Plitvički Ljeskovac – Velika Poljana (hotels) – Mukinje (Plitvice Lakes).

Sections with temporary traffic regulation:

• D429: from the county border (Korana Bridge) to the settlement Selište Drežničko (D42); and
• D42: from the village of Poljanak to the villages Selište Drežničko and Grabovac.

SUSPENSION OF TRAFFIC OF SIGHTSEEING VEHICLES IN THE VISITOR ZONE

• St1- St2 and vice versa, from 07:00 h to 12:00 h
• St2 – St3 and vice versa, from 07:00 h to 15:00 h

We ask all the visitors and participants of the Plitvice Marathon for their understanding and to respect the temporary traffic regulations in order to ensure the safety of all the participants and visitors of the event. During that period, traffic will be diverted to alternative routes: Grabovac — Ličko Petrovo Selo — Prijeboj and vice versa, in order to reduce crowding and enable the smooth running of the Plitvice Marathon.

We look forward to your arrival and wish you a pleasant stay at Plitvice Lakes National Park!

For any additional information, please contact us via official channels or by:

Tel: +385 (0)53 751 015, or e-mail: info@np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

For more information about the 41^th Plitvice Marathon, visit the official website.

Objava Traffic regulation: 41th Plitvice Marathon pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

From the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the prestigious Gault&Millau gala dinner was attended by the General Manager of the Plitvice Lakes National Park Public Institution Tomislav Kovačević, the head of the hotel and catering branch Nikolina Matijević, and the chef of the Lička kuća restaurant Katarina Bićanić.

Gault&Millau – the international seal of quality

Entry into the printed and online edition of the guide means entry into a prestigious selection of the best restaurants in Croatia that meet strict international quality criteria, but also increased recognition among global travelers who are increasingly choosing destinations based on their gastronomic offer. The inspectors of this guide act independently, evaluating each restaurant according to clearly defined criteria, with the emphasis not only on the taste and presentation of the food, but also on the use of local ingredients, service, atmosphere and a sustainable approach. It is particularly significant that Lička kuća Restaurant and Black River Steak & Pasta House are presented as examples of excellence of the Lika-Senj County, which is increasingly positioning itself on the gastronomic map of Europe.

A local story with a global reach

Lička kuća Restaurant, located in the heart of Plitvice Lakes National Park, combines Lika’s rich gastronomic tradition with an innovative approach to food preparation. Dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, authentic recipes and a warm atmosphere attract visitors and food lovers from all over the world who can taste the authentic essence of Lika here. Black River Steak & Pasta House, on the other hand, in an elegant and carefully designed interior with an emphasis on fine dining, offers a top-notch gastronomic experience with a rich selection of steaks, pastas with a Mediterranean touch and a selection of cured meats and cheeses.

Croatian gastronomy – a blend of heritage and innovation

Among the guests was Tonči Glavina, Minister of Tourism and Sports, who presented Gault&Millau plaques to the best Croatian restaurants and thanked the awardees for their contribution to Croatian gastronomy. While presenting the plaques, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Tonči Glavina, particularly emphasized:

“Your efforts and work have enabled Croatia to become recognized in the world as a destination of top gastronomy, a destination with a unique story. Our gastronomic offer is extremely diverse – from traditional dishes that preserve our heritage to the finest restaurants that represent contemporary Croatian cuisine, and all of this together makes our gastronomy special and allows it to grow year after year. I am especially pleased to see young faces here because they show that we have a new generation of talented people who bring freshness and innovation to our industry. Many of them gain knowledge and experience abroad and successfully apply them here, raising the level of quality of our offer.”

A well-deserved recognition and a new stage

For Lička kuća and Black River Steak & Pasta House, being included in the Gault&Millau guide is not only a recognition for their work to date, but also an additional incentive to continue developing, improving and promoting local gastronomy worldwide. This recognition once again confirms that Plitvice Lakes are not only a natural phenomenon, but also a destination that offers top-notch gastronomic experiences, where every guest can feel the spirit of the region through carefully prepared dishes and friendly service.

The recognizable yellow sticker with chef’s hats displayed at the restaurant entrances means to them: luxury is in quality, not in price!

Objava Lička Kuća and Black River Steak & Pasta House included in the prestigious International gastronomic guide Gault&Millau Croatia pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Earth Hour is a great opportunity to take an hour out of your day to contribute to the annual celebration of this important day. The time you set aside should be for what you truly love, and you will combine your favourite activities with joining the global action for planet Earth.

Your activities can be related to nature, food, sustainability, art and creativity, entertainment or fitness. Wherever you find yourself in any of the activities, keep planet Earth in mind.

We definitely recommend spending time in nature, and for that you can visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, which will certainly be more than 60 minutes of enjoying beautiful lakes and waterfalls.

We also recommend adopting positive sustainable practices that can enrich your daily activities and contribute to sustainability in the local community and tourist destination.

Due to the challenges we face in the fight against climate change, biodiversity loss, and the depletion of natural resources, we suggest you inform yourself, learn, and explore what global actions exist and how you can be part of the solution. Every contribution, hour, and step you take counts!

Visit the websites https://www.earthhour.org/ and https://www.wwfadria.org/get_involved/earth_hour/ for more information and support the global moment for planet Earth on Saturday, March 22^nd at 8:30 pm!

Objava Earth Hour pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

We hereby inform you that on Sunday, 2 June 2024, traffic will be temporarily regulated in certain sections around the Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the 39^th Plitvice Marathon.

Road closure time:

• from 8:00 h to 11:30 h.

Route of the Plitvice Marathon:

Mukinje (Plitvice lakes) – Selište Drežničko – Poljanak – Plitvički Ljeskovac – Velika Poljana (hotels) – Mukinje (Plitvice Lakes).

Sections with temporary traffic regulation:

• D429: from the county border (Korana Bridge) to the settlement Selište Drežničko (D42); and.
• D42: from the village of Poljanak to the villages Selište Drežničko and Grabovac.

SUSPENSION OF TRAFFIC OF SIGHTSEEING VEHICLES IN THE VISITOR ZONE

• St1- St2 and vice versa, from 07:00 h to 12:00 h
• St2 – St3 and vice versa, from 07:00 h to 15:00 h

We ask all the visitors and participants of the Plitvice Marathon for their understanding and to respect the temporary traffic regulations in order to ensure the safety of all the participants and visitors of the event. During that period, traffic will be diverted to alternative routes: Grabovac — Ličko Petrovo Selo — Prijeboj and vice versa, in order to reduce crowding and enable the smooth running of the Plitvice Marathon.

We look forward to your arrival and wish you a pleasant stay at Plitvice Lakes National Park!

For any additional information, please contact us via official channels or by:

Tel: +385 (0)53 751 015, or e-mail: info@np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

For more information about the 39^th Plitvice Marathon, visit the official website.

All inquiries related to the race can be sent by e-mail to: a.k.plitvice@gmail.com or you can ask us a question on the Facebook or Instagram profile of the Plitvice Marathon.

Objava Traffic regulation: 39th Plitvice Marathon pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Given that this activity is in its second year of implementation, it will certainly be interesting to determine, after the monitoring cycles in April and September, the number of individuals recaptured from 2023. Through this activity, we aim to save individuals from harm on the road while also collecting data that will serve as a basis for finding permanent solutions for the safe passage of amphibians across the road.

Objava Spring cycle of monitoring and rescue of amphibians from the local road pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

In 2024, we celebrated 75 years since the proclamation of Plitvice Lakes as a national park and 45 years since its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. We would like to use these big anniversaries to celebrate the Park’s unparalleled beauty and value and honor the ongoing efforts to preserve this incomparable natural treasure of Croatia.

The Plitvice Lakes system comprises 16 named lakes and numerous smaller bodies of water. These are divided into Upper and Lower Lakes based on the underlying geological formations and hydrogeological features. The twelve Upper Lakes – Prošćansko Lake, Ciginovac, Okrugljak, Batinovac, Veliko Lake, Malo Lake, Vir, Galovac, Milino Lake, Gradinsko Lake, Burgeti, and Kozjak – sit on impermeable dolomites. These expansive lakes boast gentle, well-developed shores, while the Lower Lakes are nestled in a narrow, steep canyon carved into porous limestone. The Lower Lakes include Milanovac, Gavanovac, Kaluđerovac, and Novakovića Brod. The system culminates in the breathtaking Sastavci Waterfalls, marking the beginning of the Korana River.

“There are waters, lakes, waterfalls, and forests elsewhere – but there is only one Plitvice Lakes in the whole world!” — Dr. Ivo Pevalek

Internationally acclaimed academician Ivo Pevalek, one of our best plant scientists specializing in algae, fungi, and bryophytes, was a staunch advocate for nature conservation and formal designation of Plitvice Lakes National Park as early as 1920. Having played a crucial role in the protection of Plitvice Lakes, paving the way for the formal establishment of the national park, he is honored by a commemorative plaque on the Galovac Barrier. As an instrumental figure in the nature conservancy in Croatia, he is also a namesake of the Ivo Pevalek Research Station, established in 1975, and Dr. Ivo Pevalek Scientific Research Center, established in 2003. His quote reflects the unique, singular nature of the Plitvice Lakes, a source of immense pride to us all.

45 years since the inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List

Plitvice Lakes National Park is part of the prestigious World Heritage List by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Nominated thirty years after its founding, the park became the first site in Croatia and one of the first globally to be selected for the outstanding value of its natural properties.

The UNESCO World Heritage List selection process is both rigorous and time-consuming, requiring compliance with at least one of ten selection criteria. Plitvice Lakes National Park met the criteria numbers (vii), (viii), and (ix)*, reflecting its outstanding universal value.

The interactions between water, air, geological substrates, and living organisms, coupled with distinct physical, chemical, and biological conditions, facilitated the creation of tufa deposits. Acting as a natural dam, these formations gave rise to a series of lakes, barriers, and waterfalls. All these processes, alongside the site’s unique ecology and extraordinary beauty, collectively underpin the outstanding universal value of Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, part of the Dinaric Karst system, is recognized as one of the most remarkable karst landscapes globally, boasting unique geological, geomorphological, and hydrological features. Karst topography is made up primarily of carbonate rocks, notably limestones and dolomites, owing to their susceptibility to chemical and mechanical erosion as well as tectonic movements (fault lines, folds, cracks, etc.) Carbon dioxide-enriched water penetrates through the fissures in the water-soluble carbonate substratum, giving birth to a myriad of surface and underground karst formations, including limestone pavements, sinkholes, karst fields, towers, caves, pits, and caverns.

The History of Plitvice Lakes

To understand the remarkable scientific significance and allure of Plitvice Lakes, we need to look no further than the history of research in the area, spanning almost 170 years. Initial studies – mostly one-man endeavors – date back to 1850. Structured, multidisciplinary initiatives would have to wait until the official designation of the national park and the subsequent financial backing. The Plitvice Lakes Biological Station, the first on-site research station founded in 1961, and the Ivo Pevalek Research Station, a modern facility founded in 1975, played a pivotal role in ramping up scientific research, paving the way for the selection of Plitvice Lakes to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1979.

Plitvice Lakes remained relatively unknown to the broader public until the mid-19th century due to limited access and lack of settlements in the area. In 1845, Saxon King Frederick Augustus II paid a visit to the lakes and produced some sketches. In 1861, border officers built the Tourist House, the first lodging facility at Velika Poljana. Early travel writers such as Adolf Veber Tkalčević and Dragutin Hirc marveled at the beauty of the lakes. Despite the lack of roads, the number of visitors to Plitvice Lakes was on the rise. By the late 19th century, the new Cordon Road facilitated access to the lakes. Following the visits by Princess Stéphanie in 1888 and Archduke Joseph in 1894, the trails around the Upper Lakes and Lower Lakes were christened “Stéphanie’s Path” and “Dorothea’s Path”, respectively. In 1893, the newly-founded Society for the Beautification of Plitvice Lakes from Zagreb embarked on a mission to make the lakes more accessible to visitors and preserve their natural beauty. The Society played a major role in promoting Plitvice Lakes both nationally and internationally, advocating for the establishment of the national park as early as 1925. In 1986, new lodging options included Hotel Plitvice as well as private villas at Velika Poljana. In 1890, Antun Devčić opened a sawmill at Labudovac, which was subsequently converted into Labudovac Inn by Prof. Gustav Janeček in 1896. A drinking water supply system was built in 1909. “Plitvice Lakes and Their Surroundings”, published by Dragutin Franić in 1910, remains an important source of information about Plitvice Lakes. An official decree from 1914 abolished all civic societies, including the Society for the Beautification of Plitvice Lakes. Although the hopes for developing the area remained high throughout the early 20th century, little action was taken. Around 1926, the Royal Forest Directorate took over the construction projects at the lakes, adding new walkways, bridges, and roads.

Scholar Ivo Pevalek endeavored to draw attention to preservation efforts between the two World Wars, leveraging his professional work and influence to protect Plitvice Lakes from travertine mining and deforestation by aggressive investors. His hard work bore fruit and the lakes were designated as a national park during the 1928/1929 financial year, alongside Paklenica and Štirovača. The dynamic development of Plitvice Lakes concluded with the fire at Hotel Plitvice and the Bathing Area in 1939. During World War II, between 1941 and 1945, the area suffered significant damage during the military campaign, including the burning of public and residential buildings. Plitvice Lakes was the setting for the First Session of the Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Croatia (ZAVNOH) in 1943, resulting in the “Plitvice Resolution.”

After World War II, settlements were rebuilt and the area gained the national park status in 1949. The park was run by two institutions: the National Park Administration, responsible for conservancy, forestry, and hunting, and the Plitvice Hospitality Company, dealing with tourism. In 1970, these institutions merged into the Plitvice National Park.

The first significant facilities at Velika Poljana were Restaurant Kozjak (1949) and Hotel Plitvice (1954–1958), alongside several accommodation options and the Izletište Restaurant. Priority was given to building low-rise, elongated buildings utilizing natural materials and terrain features. Various construction projects were underway between 1950 and 1990, including new trails, bridges, railway tracks, and boats, as well as events like “Plitvice Weddings”. Some of the facilities built during this period were Hotel Bellevue (1964), Hotel Jezero (1970), Lička Kuća Restaurant (1974), Poljana Restaurant (1978), and Grabovac Motel (1979). Plitvice National Park gained worldwide recognition in the mid-1980s, breaking visitor records in 1985. The Homeland War halted development and reconstruction plans between 1991 and 1995, but a new cycle of reconstruction began following the national liberation in 1995. The Dr. Ivo Pevalek Scientific Research Center was opened in 2003 to support research and preservation at the National Park.

With visitor numbers returning to pre-war figures, the park welcomed its one-millionth visitor in 2011. In 2019, the park instated an hourly limit of 1200 visitors. These restrictions are part of the effort to conserve the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park and ensure sustainability amidst booming visitor numbers. Scientific research and environmental protection have become focal points of any future development of this unique natural resource.

Objava 75th birthday of Plitvice Lakes National Park pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

At this year’s global Green Destinations Conference that was held 8–10 October in Tallinn (Estonia), the 2023 European Green Capital, the Plitvice Lakes National Park officially received the prestigious Green Destinations Silver Award for sustainability.

This important award is handed out by Green Destinations, a global non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands, that has for many years been enhancing the sustainable development of destinations and stakeholders in tourism, as well as promoting good practices tackling the challenges of sustainable tourism. The organisation is present in more than 90 countries, collaborates with over 500 destinations worldwide and promotes visibility of green destinations in the global tourism market.

Today, the topic of sustainability is becoming increasingly relevant, but it is important to show what the destination is doing and which good practices it follows because that is what tourists look for nowadays when choosing a destination.

The Green Destinations certification process itself consists of 84 criteria covering 4 dimensions of sustainable development: social, environmental, economic and cultural. In Croatia, besides the Plitvice Lakes National Park, this process was successfully completed by Međimurje County and the town of Mali Lošinj. Existing responsible practices were reviewed, and the destinations were provided with a tool for monitoring and improvement over the next 2 years, after which they will be re-evaluated.

“The certification process following the Green Destinations model was long and required continuous monitoring as well as dedicated work by all stakeholders. I am extremely pleased that we completed it successfully and showed that by respecting and applying sustainability principles, together with excellent cooperation between all stakeholders, we could make our destination more responsible and more sustainable for us, but also for future generations”, said Tomislav Kovačević, General Manager of the Plitvice Lakes National Park Public Institution.

The two-day Green Destination Conference gathered a large number of world leading experts in the field of sustainability, and more than 260 delegates who had the opportunity to attend lectures and participate in workshops and discussion panels on climate change, collaborative sustainability efforts of the public and private sectors, national and regional perspectives, destination management, practical sustainability solutions for businesses in tourism, ways to communicate sustainability practices, planning sustainable events, digital transformation of tourism, and the significance of authentic destination experiences by fostering local culture and traditions.

Every day we are given the opportunity to do things better and think outside the box, address the vision of the local community and create local partnerships, promote regenerative tourism, offer an authentic experience to our guests, pass on knowledge on how to protect the natural and cultural values of the destination, and raise awareness of sustainability through everyday activities. There are many sustainability certificates that guests do not know much about, and that can only be justified through work and transparency.

Dr. sc. Maja Vurnek and Zrinka Nenadić accepted the award at the Green Destinations Conference dinner on behalf of the Plitvice Lakes National Park team responsible for the Green Destinations certification process.

The Green Destinations Silver Award is an acknowledgement of the hard work the Plitvice Lakes National Park has put into sustainability efforts, but also motivation to improve and develop new sustainable practices to be shared with all conscious travellers in collaboration with the Green Destinations organisation.

Objava Plitvice Lakes National Park becomes the first national park in Croatia to receive the Green Destinations certificate for sustainability pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Due to its distinctly black or dark brown body, the alpine salamander is very easily distinguishable from other species of amphibians. It defends against predators by spraying neurotoxins from its parotoid glands starting from behind the head and extending along the body.

It is the only amphibian in Croatia to give birth to live young. The gestation period lasts two to three years, depending on the elevation of its habitat, and one to two fully formed young are born.

Alpine salamanders prefer higher elevations with cold and wet conditions. Although they don’t drink water, they absorb it through their skin as they do oxygen to breathe, like many other amphibians, which is why their body needs to stay moist. For this reason, they are active at night or during the day after rainfall and in high humidity or cloudy conditions.

During the day, they hide in holes in rocks or the ground, under leaves, in tree roots or other dark and damp areas, making it hard to spot them.

They are a strictly protected species, directly threatened by habitat destruction, intensifying and expanding of agriculture on their habitats, killing by road traffic, air and soil pollution, acidification, and climate change as the universal threat to the entire planet.

In Croatia, they have so far been found in the mountainous regions of Žumberak, Ćićarija and Gorski Kotar. In September 2004, they were spotted in the area of the Plitvice Lakes National Park for the first and only time, specifically in the Čorkova uvala old-growth forest. Efforts to find them in the Park area have since then been unsuccessful. Luck struck in September 2023, when members of the Croatian Biospeleological Society, working on the project of mapping caves and pit caves in the Park, found an alpine salamander in the Lipojka pit cave, near Ličko Petrovo Selo. This extraordinary find after almost 20 years of constant searching proves the presence of the species in the Park area.

Objava Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

TICKET PRICES

Dear guests, in order to experience winter magic in the Plitvice Lakes National Park, we have prepared the following ticket prices for you until 31.03.2021.:

Two day entrance tickets

Additional information relevant to your visit

Working hours

BOOK YOUR ACCOMMODATION IN THE HEART OF THE PARK – IN HOTEL JEZERO

Packages 01.11.2020. – 25.03.2021.: Bed and breakfast, ticket included for a visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, 20% discount on the use of the Finnish sauna in hotel, 20% discount on massages at the Fors Fortis salon (reservation is mandatory): from 281,40 kn per person. More

Gastro offer

Bistro Vučnica

Working hours: 07:00 – 22:00

Find menu via linku.

Two kilometers from the southern entrance (Entrance 2) to the national park, is located the Vučnica bistro, overlooking a small ski resort and the beautiful nature that surrounds it. Bistro Vučnica offers visitors homemade sausages, pizzas, burgers and desserts such as basa cake

Restaurant Jezero

The unbridled beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park enchants every visitor. Its crystal-clear lakes, the murmur of water and the sound of waterfalls echoing through the forest are the reason why Plitvice Lakes is by far the most visited national park in Croatia. Situated in this oasis, located only about 300 m from the biggest lake Kozjak and its lush greenery, Hotel Jezero is hidden away in the quiet environment of Plitvice Lakes, which makes it a perfect location for a holiday in nature. Inside, you can find Restaurant Jezero and enjoy the view of relaxing greenery from it’s terrace. The pleasant ambience of our lobby bar and outdoor terrace is as enjoyable as our wide selection of beverages and treats.

More details about restaurant can be found via link.

Objava Winter at Plitvice Lakes pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".

Unable to hold events in the usual way, we would like to present you picture books of the Plitvice Lakes National Park.

You can find the picture books in our souvenir shops at entrance 1 and in Jezero Hotel.

We bring you a list of our picture books and hope that you will find the most interesting for you and learn something new about our dear Park:

• George, The Great Ant: A story about an ant and an Alcon blue butterfly
• Power of water: A story about the mills of Plitvice Lakes National Park
• A Forest tale: A story about the rangers and forest rangers huts of Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Getting to Know Butterflies: while during the day some of these insects fly from flower to flower, others rest and show their beauty only at night. We call them butterflies and moths. You can learn about their differences and similarities in this story
• Getting to Know Dragonflies: what happens when dragonflies fall in love? How do nymphs transform? Who are the best fliers in the insect world? You can learn all these in this story.
• Getting to Know Otters: The curious otter Lida lives in the Plitvice Lakes National Park and is getting to know her environment. What should Lida do or not do? Why should she obey her mother? Learn more in this educational story.
• Getting to Know Bears: a fox, a wolf and a mockingbird tease a bear about being fat, slow and inactive. The bear patiently explains otherwise. You can read what he says in this picture book.

Objava Plitvice Lakes Picture Books pojavila se prvi puta na Nacionalni park "Plitvička jezera".